Flying machine



June 19, 1934. w, HTTER 14,963,528

FLYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 19, 1934. W ClPri-TER 1,963,528

FLYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 8, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 opposite directions.

trolled and allowed to tilt or oscillate within predetermined limits,and are set on the shafts at an angle of incidence to the horizontal andare moved about their hinges by connecting rods or other suitable meansoperated by any suitable motive power so as to produce a reciprocatingmotion so that the resultant action of the wings on the -air willproduce a rotary motion in th sleeve.

The upward velocity of the whole machine will be determined by theresultant angle of incidence of the wings or blades due to their upwardstroke and to the flexibility of the blades or wings and is supported bythe pressure on the surrounding air by the blades or wings on thedownward stroke.

Means such as stops may be arranged to prevent the blades or wingsflexing more than is necessary or desirable for their purpose.

In the accompanying drawings various features of the invention areillustrated, Figure 1 being a general sectional elevation of theapparatus, Fig. la-is an elevation view of an adaptation of the device.Figure 2 a plan on an enlarged scale i" of one method of hinging thewings at their inner ends to the rotary tubular member, Figure 3 is adetail o-f a socket connecting the wing to the hinge member, and Figure4 a sectional detail of the same, Figure 5 is an alternativeconstruction of the wing socket connection, Figure 6- illustrates amodified method of rocking the wings about their hinges or pivots, andFigure 7 is a sectional plan of Figure 6.

In these drawings a, is a fixed shaft, b a tubular member or sleeverotatable thereon but prevented from axial movement thereon by collarse, el, each end of the tubular member or sleeve b being provided with aball bearing c and a thrust bearing d.

Hinged to the sleeve b and by hinges or pivots g1, g2, g3 and g4 arefour wings f1, f2, f3 and f4, carried by supporting arms T1, T2, T3 andT4, the hinges being at the inner ends of the wings with their axesarranged transversely to the axis of the shaft a.

Pivoted to each of the wings at a suitable distance from the hinges g1,are connecting rods h1, h2, h3 and h4 one end of each rod beingconnected by a pivot p, to its respective wing the 'other end of eachrod being connected by a pivot il to a sleeve z' adapted to slide on thesleeve b but prevented from rotation thereon by a feather 7c and keywayk1. It will thus be seen that a flapping or oscillating motion of thewings f1 A to f4 to and from the shaft c can be obtained byreciprocating the sleeve i, and by extending any of the supporting armsT1 torT4 beyond their pivots or hinges g1 to g4 and connecting thecorresponding rods to such extensions the corresponding wings will beoscillated in the opposite direction to the others. In the example shown(seeFigure 2) the wing supporting arm T2 is extended to p2 and the wingsupporting arm T4 to p4, so that the wings will move in pairs in Tofacilitate this movement where the two arms T3 and T4 cross each otherthey are formed with overlapping bends x.

The sleeve i can be reciprocated by any suitable power and this may beeffected in the manner Y illustrated by applying the power to a sleeve Zadapted to be reciproca-ted on the shaft a, by any suitable power thisshaft is supported in any suitable manner according to the use of thedevice such as in the case of a flying machine by being connected to thefuselage of the machine.

The apparatus for reciprocating the sleeve Z may be provided with anysuitable means for varying its stroke.

In the example illustrated the sleeve Z is connected by links m, m to aring y' mounted on a thrust bearing :i1 carried by the sleeve i, theends of the links m, m being pivoted to the ring 7' and sleeve Zrespectively.

To facilitate the assembly of the parts of the device the tubular memberb may be divided longitudinally into two parts by a coupling b1 carryinga ball bearing el.

The inner ends of the arms T1 to T4 may be supported in sockets s (seeFigure 3) carrying the hinges g1 to g4 and in order that the wingsconnected to the arms T1 to T4 can each partake of a certain amount ofangular movement on the axis of its arm, such arm T is rotatably mountedin the socket s, the limit of such movement being determined by stops T7fixed in a collar T5 xed on the arml T1 and moving in transverse slotsT8 formed in the socket s3, and in order that such rotary or angularmovement shall be resilient and the wing restorrable to its normalposition, the arm T1 is connected by a collar T5 fixed thereon to oneend of a tension spring T6 the other end of the spring being fixed tothe end of the socket s. In order to prevent the wings from movingradially by centrifugal force out of the sockets s, pins s1 are driventhrough the shaft T1 and extend into transverse slots s2 provided in thesocket s. To limit the action of this spring T6 two pins T7 extend fromthe collar T5 into slots T8 formed in an outer socket s3 fixed on thesocket s.

In the base of the socket s is provided a torsion or spiral spring T9one end of which is xed to the rod T1 and the other to the socket s, thesprings T6 and T9 being oppositely biased so that the wing can be set atthe desired angle of incidence, and so that the spring action will tendto return the blade to such angle when the apparatus is inoperative.

In the modication shown in Figures 6 and 7 one pair of wing arms T1, T3are arranged to cross each other in the same plane, thus T3 is forked atits inner end so that the inner end of T1 can pass through it about thepivot g, the inner end of the rod h1 beingiconnected through a forkedopening in the end of T3 by its pin p1, while the end of `the rod h3 isforked and connected to the outside of the forked end of T3 by its pinp3. In this construction the second pair of wing arms are arranged asufficient distance such as at g below or above the other pair so thatthey will be clear of each other. Y

The wings or blades are shownl more fully in Figure 5 in which thesocket portion is as described above with reference to Figures 8 and 1,V

AIn some cases in order to cause the machine to glide in the desireddirection means are provided whereby the position of the centre ofgravity ofv the machine with respect to the vertical shaft can bechanged in the direction in which it is desired to effect the gliding. v

When the blade flapping apparatus is used on a flying machine; inorderto'I maintain the vertical shaft in Van upright position notwithstandingchanges in position of the centre of gravity of the machine, gyroscopicapparatus is provided on the vertical shaft, as indicated at G on Figurela, and in order to providemeans for enabling the machine to glide inany particular direction by changing the position of the centre ofgravity, the verticalshaft is mounted in a platform F mounted on runnerssliding on a frame B1 which by eans of bearings B2 slides in atransverse direction on runners B3 fixed in the fuselage Fl. Therelative moves of these parts is effected by means of lever" mechanism Lprovided with ball f and socket members L1 ,and `L2 whereby when thelever ismoved in one direction alters the position of the centre ofgravity and when movedtransversely alters the positionV -of the 'lcentreof gravity correspondingly, and so that -the movement of the leverin-an angular direction effects a corresponding resultant movement ofthe position of the centre of gravity of the machine with reference tothe fixed vertical shaft. Y

Y What I claim and desire to secure Patent isz- 1. Blade flappingapparatus for use in flying machines and for the propulsion of fluids,-comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radially-*arby Letters rangedblades, a corresponding number of blade carrying rods, a correspondingnumber of springs, a` sleeve and a fixed shaft, the sleeve beingyrotatively mounted on the fixed shaft, means forV preventing axialmovement of the sleeveon the shaft, and the blades set at an angle ofincidence to their direction of rotation, on the blade carrying rods bymeans of the springs, the inner ends of the blade carrying lrodshinged'at their inner ends to the sleeve,kand means whereby they can beoscillated to and from'the axis 0f thev "340i sl f eeve.

2. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines comprising amultiplicity of pairs of radially-arranged blades, a Vsleeve and afixedy vertical shaft, the sleeve being rotatively mounted T onv thefixed'vertical shaft, means for preventing axial movement of the sleeveon the shaft thereon and the blades set at an angle of "incidence totheir direction of rotation and hinged at their inner ends to thesleeve, and means whereby they can be" oscillated to andfrorn the axisofthe sleeve, means for varying position of the centre of gravity of themachine fromthe fixed vertical shaft when gliding, the variations of theposition o'f the centre of gravity being along thedirection of glidingdesired.

`3. Blade flapping apparatus for'use in lflying machines and for thepropulsion of'fluids,jcomprising a'multiplicity of ypairs of radiallyarranged' blades, a corresponding number of blade carrying rods, acorresponding number of springs, asleeve anda fixed shaft, the sleevebeing rotatively mounted von the fixed shaft, means for preventingaxialmovement of the sleeve onfthe shaft, and the blades set at an angleof incidence tov their direction of rotation, on the blade carrying rodsby means of the springs, means for limiting the angular movementof thewing on its supporting rod, the inner ends-of the blade carrying rodshinged at their inner ends to the sleeve,A and means whereby they can beoscillated to and from the axis of the sleeve. j' v 4. Blade nappingapparatus for use in flying machines and for the vpropulsion of fluids,comprisingmultiplicity of pairs of radially arranged l blades, acorresponding number of blade carrying rods, a' corresponding-numberfoflpairs of torsion springs,A` a sleeve and a fixed shaft, the sleevebeing rotatively mounted on the fixed shaft, means for preventing axialmovement .of Athesleeve on the shaft, andther blades set-at an angle ofincidence to their'direction of rotation, on the blade carrying rods bymeans of a pair of the torsion springs oppositely disposed, 'the `innerends of the-.blade carryingrods-hinged/at vtheir inner ends to thesleeve, and means whereby they can'bel oscillated to and from theaxis'of the sleeve. 5.- Bladel flapping vapparatus for use in, flyingmachines comprising a multiplicity of pairs' of radially Aarrangedblades, a sleeve anda'fiXed vertical shaft,1gyroscopic-apparatus, thesleeve being `rotativelyV mounted on the fixed vertical shaft, meansvfor preventing -axial movement of the sleeve on `the' shaft thereon,-and the blades set at an angle of incidence to -their direction ofrotation land hinged at theiry inner ends to the sleeve, and meanswhereby theycanf-be oscillatedtoand from the axisof the sleeve, thegyroscopic apparatus 4being "fixed with reference to the fixed verticalshaft -to'maintain it in the vertical posi- H01L V 6. Blade flappingapparatusv for use in flying machines' and for the propulsion of fluids,comprising' a multiplicity of pairs of radially arranged blades, acorresponding number of blade carryingv `rods,- Va corresponding number:of sockets carrying the blade carrying'rods at their inner ends, acorresponding number of springs, a sleeve anda xed shaft,the sleevebeingA rotatively mounted on the fixed shaft, means for preventing axialmovement of the sleeve on the shaft, and the blades set atan angle ofincidence to their direction of rotation, on the blade vcarrying'rods-.by means of springs, Vthe inner ends of the sockets carrying bladecarrying rods hinged at their innery ends to the sleeve, and meansWhereby they can l'be oscillated to and from the axis of the sleeve. i

'7.l Blade flapping apparatus for use lfiying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicityof pairs of radiallyarranged blades, a corresponding number of blade carrying rods, acorresponding number of 'sockets` carrying the blade'carrying rods attheir inner ends, means for preventing the bladek carrying rods frommoving out of theirvsockets by centrifugal force while allowingangularmovement of them inthe: sockets, a corresponding number ofspringsja sleeve and a fixed shaft, the sleeve incidence yto theirVdirection of rotation, on the' blade carrying rods by means'of thesprings, the inner ends of the sockets carrying blade carrying rodshingedat their inner ends tothe sleeve, and means whereby they can beoscillated to and from the axis of the sleeve.

8. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion offiuids, comprising a multiplicity of; pairs of radially,larranged blades, hinged transversely totheir length at their innerends, a sleeve'and a fixed shaft, the sleeve being rotatively mounted onthe fixed shaft, means for preventing axial movement of they sleeve onthe shaft thereon and the blades set'at an angle of incidence to theirdirection of rotation and hinged at'theirv inner ends yto the sleeve,and means whereby they can be oscillated reaction of the'vr air a rotarymotion of the sleeve.

Y9. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged flexible blades, hinged transversely to their length at theirinner ends, a sleeve and a fixed shaft, the sleeve being rotativelymounted on the fixed shaft, means for preventing axial movement of thesleeve on the shaft thereon, and the blades being flexible set at anangle of incidence to their direction of rotation and hinged at theirinner ends to the sleeve and means Whereby they can be oscillated to andfrom the axis of the sleeve to give by the reaction of the air a rotarymotion to the sleeve.

10. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising aV multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades, hinged transversely to their length at their innerends, a sleeve and a fixed shaft the sleeve being rotatively mounted onthe fixed shaft, means for preventing axial movement of the sleeve onthe shaft thereon and the blades set at an angle of incidence to theirdirection of rotation and hinged at their inner ends to the sleeve, andmeans whereby they can be oscillated to and from the axis of the sleevewhile rotating in pairs moving in opposite directions simultaneously togive by reaction of the air a rotary motion of the sleeve.

11. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades hinged transversely to their length at their inner ends,a multiplicity of connecting rods, a rotating sleeve, a xed shaft onwhich the sleeve rotates, means for preventing axial movement of thesleeve on the shaft, the axially slidable sleeve being mounted on therotating sleeve, means provided for rotating the slidable sleeve withthe rotary sleeve, the blades being hinged at their inner end to therotary sleeve, each connecting rod pivoted at one end to a wing at somedistance from its hinge and at the other end to the reciprocatingsleeve.

12. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades, hinged transversely to their length at their innerends, a sleeve and a fixed shaft, the sleeve being rotatively mounted onthe fixed shaft, means for preventing axial movement of the sleeve onthe shaft thereon and the blades set at an angle of incidence to theirdirection of rotation and hinged at their inner ends to the sleeve atthe same distance along the sleeve, and means whereby they can beoscillated to and from the axis of the sleeve While rotating.

13. Blade flapping apparatus for use in ying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades, hinged transversely to their length at their innerends, a rotating sleeve, a xed shaft on which the sleeve rotates,collars fixed on the shaft for preventing axial movement of the sleevethereon, the blades being set at an angle of incidence to theirdirection of rotation and hinged at their inner ends to the sleeve, andmeans provided whereby they can be oscillated to and from the axis ofthe sleeve while rotating.

. 14. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades, hinged transversely to their length at their inner endsa rotary sleeve, a fixed shaft on which the sleeve rotates withoutreciprocating, the blades being set at an angle of incidence to theirdirection of rotation, and hinged at one end to the rotary sleeve, meansfor oscillating the blades about their hinge to and from the axis of thesleeve while rotating and for causing the ascending current of airproduced by flapping and rotating of one pair of blades to engage andlift another pair of blades hinged to the same sleeve.

15. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades, hinged transversely to their length at their inner endsa sleeve and a xed shaft, the sleeve being rotatively mounted on thefixed shaft, means for preventing axial movement of the sleeve on theshaft thereon, and the blades set at an angle of incidence to theirdirection of rotation and hinged at their inner ends to the sleeve, andmeans whereby they can be oscillated to and from the axis of the sleeve,t0 give by the reaction of the air av rotary motion to the sleeve, eachmember of a pair of wings being at an angle of 180 to its fellow andhinged to the sleeve at the same distance along the sleeve.

16. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades, hinged transversely to their length at their innerends, a sleeve and a fixed shaft, the sleeve being rotatively mounted onthe fixed shaft, means for preventing axial movement of the sleeve onthe shaft thereon, and the blades set at an angle of incidence of from 5to 15n to their direction of rotation and hinged at their inner ends tothe sleeve and means whereby they can be oscillated to and from the axisof the sleeve.

17. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades, hinged transversely to their length at their innerends, a multiplicity of connecting rods, a rotating sleeve, a fixedshaft on which the sleeve rotates, means for preventing axial movementof the sleeve on the shaft, the axially slidable sleeve being mounted onthe rotating sleeve, a feather and keyway between the sliding androtating sleeves, the blades being hinged at their inner end to therotary sleeve, each connecting rod pivoted at one end to a wing at somedistance from its hinge and at the other end to the reciprocatingsleeve. v 18. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines andfor the propulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs ofradially arranged blades, hinged transversely to their length at theirinner ends, a multiplicity of connecting rods, a rotating sleeve, afixed shaft on which the sleeve rotates, means for preventing axialmovement of the sleeve on the shaft, the axially slidable sleeve beingmounted on the rotating sleeve, means provided for rotating the slidablesleeve with the rotary sleeve, a thrust bearing, on the sliding sleeve,a ring containing the thrust bearing, a second series of connectingrods, and a second axially slidable sleeve, the blades being hinged attheir inner end to the rotary sleeve, each connecting rod pivoted at oneend to a wing at some distance from its hinge and at the other end tothe reciprocating sleeve, the ring of the thrust bearing being connectedby the second series of connecting rods to the second sliding sleeve,the second sleeve operating on the fixed shaft at a position beyond therotating sleeve.

19. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines, comprising amultiplicity of pairs of radially arranged blades, hinged transverselyto their length at their inner ends, a sleeve and a xed vertical shaft,means for maintaining the vertical shaft in the vertical position, thesleeve being rotatively mounted on the xed vertical shaft, means forpreventing axial movement of the sleeve on the shaft thereon, and theblades set at an angle of incidence to their direction of rotation andhinged at their inner ends to the sleeve, and means whereby they canbeoscillated to and from the axis of the sleeve to give by the reactionon the air a rotary motion to the sleeve.

20. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades carried on rods, and hinged transversely to their lengthat their inner ends, a multiplicity of connecting rods, a rotatingsleeve, a xed shaft on which the sleeve rotates, means for preventingaxial movement of the sleeve on the shaft, and an axially slidingsleeve, the axially slidable sleeve being mounted on the rotatingsleeve,

means provided for rotating the slidable sleeve with the rotary sleeve,each alternative blade carrying rod being extended beyond its pivot, therods carrying the blades being hinged at one end to the rotary sleeveand each connecting rod pivoted at one end to the reciprocating sleeve,and each extended blade carrying rod pivoted at the end of its extendedportion to the other end of its connecting rod, While the intermediateblade carrying rods are pivoted at some distance from its hinge to theother Yends of their corresponding connected rods.

21. Blade flapping apparatus for use in flying machines and for thepropulsion of fluids, comprising a multiplicity of pairs of radiallyarranged blades, hinged transversely to their length at their innerends, a sleeve and a fixed shaft, the sleeve being rotatively mounted onthe fixed shaft, means for preventing axial movement of the sleeve onthe shaft thereon means whereby the resistance of the air to the upwardangular movement of each blade will cause rotation of the wings abouttheir common axis, the blades being hinged at their inner ends tothesleeve, and means whereby they can be oscillated to and from the axis ofthe sleeve.

WALTER CHARLES PITTER.

